Daily Edition

'Sherlock' Community Turns on Hardcore Fans Stalking Production of New Season

The show's producers admit the #setlock phenomenon is starting to hinder production.

Sherlock lovers are turning on one another after a poll showed that the vast majority of the fanbase gave a resounding thumbs-down to people stalking the production of the new season.

The U.K.'s Radio Times showed that 77 percent of 5,000 fans polled said they were against people turning up to location shoots.

On social media, the phenomenon has been dubbed #setlock in which fans will spend hours waiting around shoots across the U.K. hoping to catch a glimpse of the show's stars, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

The creators of the hit BBC show have, albeit graciously, conceded that the huge numbers of fans turning up while they film the fourth season and upcoming Christmas special is proving to be a problem.

Radio Times quoted Mark Gatiss, series co-creator (who also plays Mycroft Holmes), saying that the sheer number of fans at shoots meant that they've had to change the script and the way the episodes are shot. Freeman also has admitted that he's not enjoying the current shoot, telling The Independent: "When we're [filming at] our stand-in for Baker Street, it is hard to do your job. And I don't love it."

Freeman added: "It's like trying to act at a premiere. … I wasn't in The Beatles. But I've never seen anything like it. There's such a heightened sense of excitement, so every time we come out, there's applauding — and it's like, 'No, can you n—.' Or, if we do anything — 'Cut!' — applause. … It's like, 'No, this isn't a gig.' "